LWR Footpath Maintenance Team Go ‘Off Piste’ To Help NYC
Following a request from North Yorkshire Council, Lower Wharfedale Ramblers agreed to leave their traditional territory and install two new footpath gates near Boroughbridge. Both gates replaced existing stiles on a popular footpath through the Roecliffe Estate linking Ripon and Boroughbridge. The path follows the banks of the River Ure opposite the popular Newby Hall.
The gates were funded by the council as part of their efforts to get more people walking. Both stiles were relatively rotten and quite easy to remove. The challenge was installing the new self-closing metal gates, designed to shut automatically behind users and prevent livestock straying.
Because of their design, the gates must be installed on a level plane. Any tilting prevents the gates from closing securely. This meant the gates had to be attached to the posts before installation. Unfortunately, the council provided wooden gateposts that were twice the normal size. Not only were they very heavy but once the gates were secured to the posts, they required all six members of the team to manoeuvre them into place and help make the numerous small adjustments required to ensure both were on a level plane. Both gates also required repairs to the attached fencing and wire mesh.
LWR have an active team of around 12 footpath maintenance volunteers and are open to other opportunities ‘off piste’ as long as they are within reasonable travelling distance. They are also happy to work with other walking groups. All labour is free if the materials are provided. Team leader, Richard Brook, can be contacted via
Christopher Tye
